FinCom FY17 Budget Hearings January 26, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Present: (FinCom Members) Chairman Marshall Carroll, Vicki Divoll, Adam DeBettencourt, Susan Murphy, Jim Malkin, Linda Coutinho and Bruce Golden.
(Selectmen) Chairman Jonathan Mayhew, Bill Rossi, Warren Doty,
Others: Tim Carroll, Melanie Becker, Ellen Biskis, Diana DeBlase, Isaiah Scheffer, Don Hatch, Ann Wallace, Katie Carroll, Andy Goldman, David Vigneault, Jim Feiner, Michelle Leonardi, Jess Roddy, Zee Gamson and David Norton.
At 7:01PM Chairman Marshall Carroll called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Waste Collection #430:
Don Hatch the Director of Martha’s Vineyard Refuse Disposal & Resource Recovery District presented the draft FY17 budget for MVRD&RRD.
Mr. Hatch supplied documentation prior to the meeting pertaining to the Local Drop Off (LDO) and assessments for the town of Chilmark. Mr. Hatch discussed the increases to the budget are labor cost of a COLA for employees and health insurance cost increases.
Mr. Hatch explained that Chilmark’s total cost for services increased by $2,900.00 up from last year’s figures. Discussion turned to the increase to tonnage on trash and recycled materials. FY17 cost for trash will be $60.00 per ton and recycling will be $40.00 per ton. Mr. Hatch said that because China is no longer taking USA recycling materials there is an increased cost.
Mr. Hatch recommended folks interested in the recycling challenges look into “Green Fence” for a clear explanation. Marshall Carroll asked how the sharing of space is going at the Chilmark LDO with the Vineyard Transit Authority Bus and the Photo Voltaic project. Mr. Hatch said seems to be fine.
Mr. Mayhew asked about the island wide plans for composting. Mr. Hatch said he is currently on the feasibility committee and reported that an organizer director possibility is encouraging at this time.
Mr. Doty asked Mr. Hatch to explain where the project for expansion plans is. Mr. Hatch said that there was a section in the bylaw for the MVRD&RRD that stated all of the island towns had to support the loan within 45 days but with the Town Meetings spread out through the year that was not possible and the Bond Council denied the loan.
To move the expansion project through and achieve approval from Bond Council; MVRD&RRD has applied for Special Legislation at the State House.
Waste Collection #430 Continued…
Tim Madden is working to get this approved but Mr. Hatch said he has also submitted warrant article request to each of the towns for their Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Hatch is hopeful to move forward with this project while the asphalt and oil prices are so desirable.
Mr. Doty said that Chilmark Town Meeting approved spending up to 2.5 million dollars for this project and asked if that was still the estimate. Mr. Hatch said he believed it would be less at this time if they can start project with these asphalt prices.
Mr. Mayhew asked if this is still considering the addition of a second drive-on scale for the public. Mr. Hatch said that they have had some problems with the existing scale and may need to figure that cost into the plan as well. But if it is within the budget that the second scale will be included.
Mr. Hatch explained that with the cost of the new project aligning with the completion of a loan Chilmark’s assessment will not increase. Chairman Carroll thanked Mr. Hatch for his budget presentation.
Board of Health (BOH) #510:
Katie Carroll chairman of the Board of Health presented the draft FY17 BOH budget.
Ms. Carroll said the only increase to the budget is in salary for Inspector/Administrator as the hours have been increased to 35 hours per week.
Mr. Doty said that the Tri-Town Ambulance Chief had mentioned community outreach with blood pressure checks and wellness checks. Ms. Carroll said she will collaborate with the chief so as to not be duplicating any programs.
Ms. Divoll said she is a board member on the Island Wide Youth Collaborative and asked if Chilmark Board of health would still fund the program. Ms. Carroll said yes they still intend to fund $675.00 and that will be funded from line #5316.
Marshall Carroll thanked Ms. Carroll for the presentation of the BOH budget.
Duke County Housing Authority (DCRHA):
Director of DCRHA David Vigneault presented the proposed FY17 budget.
Mr. Vigneault reported that our figure for Chilmark’s portion for FY17 is higher than it should be so down from $35,393.00 to $34,987.00
Mr. Vigneault said the DCRHA will be adding an additional ½ time position mostly as a financial supervisor. The DCRHA has 11 audits last year.
Duke County Housing Authority (DCRHA) Continued…
FY17 will begin the DCRHA addition of retirement benefits funding. The overall assessment (all Island towns) is up $51,000.00 for FY17.
Mr. Vigneault talked about the new developments;
There is the Clergy Sheltering Option for the homeless. There are 120 trained volunteers and 6 parishes involved.
The Housing Assistants Corp. representative is being stationed starting this week in the DCRHA building. Discussion turned to what Mr. Vigneault recommended as a sufficient number of affordable rental homes on Martha’s Vineyard Mr. Vigneault recommend 300 units.
Housing Committee #185: present from the Chilmark Housing Committee: Jim Feiner,Andy Goldman, Michelle Leonardi, Jess Roddy, Zee Gamson, Ann Wallace (Ms. Wallace is also Chilmark’s rep. on the DCRHA Board)
Mr. Carroll said that the DCRHA assessment to Chilmark is in the Housing Committee Budget line #5700. Mr. Carroll asked with the decrease (that Mr. Vigneault mentioned at the beginning of his presentation) to that budget line with a new administrative assistant would they be interested in raising the professional development line #5303 as there is only $250.00
Housing Chairman Jim Feiner recommended decreasing the postage line #5344 by $250 and putting that into professional development #5303 with a total of $500.00
Chairman Carroll thanked the Housing representatives for their report.
Shellfish # 299:
Shellfish Constable Isaiah Scheffer presented the Shellfish department draft budget for FY17.
Mr. Scheffer explained that the increase to his budget is due to the hours being added to the Assistant Constable position and the benefits that will be funded for this position as well.
Ms. Divoll asked for the reasoning behind lowering the fuel line # 5483. Mr. Scheffer said the decrease in fuel costs and that he did not expend the budget last year.
There was extensive discussion on the condition the Chilmark Pond in relation to the ability to raise shellfish. Mr. Scheffer said it is unlikely. Though data is being collected and will continue to be. Mr. Scheffer described his eelgrass restoration project and plans to improve the scallop growing in Quitsa Pond. Chairman Carroll thanked Mr. Scheffer for his report.
Fire Department:
Fire Chief David Norton presented the draft FY17 fire department budget. Fire department overall FY17 budget is 0.75% less than FY16. Chief Norton worked extensively with Bruce Golden to adjust budget lines. Chief Norton is requesting salary increase of $1,545.00 for a total annual salary of $37,000.00.
Chairman Carroll thanked Chief Norton for his report.
Animal Control Officer (ACO) # 292:
Tim Carroll presented the draft FY17 budget for the Animal Control Officer (Chris Murphy). Mr. Carroll explained that the State mandated that the position be created. What had always been a dog officer for Chilmark is now Animal Control.
Mr. Carroll said he decreased the mileage allowance line #5711 by $600.00. Mr. Carroll said our ACO has never submitted mileage so we don’t pay it. The Chilmark policy is not to pay for mileage unless submitted. This budget is 3.41% less than last year.
Animal Inspector # 296:
Tim Carroll presented the draft FY17 budget for the Animal Inspector (Chris Murphy).
Mr. Carroll said that after he reviewed the paperwork he noticed that the Town has not paid the Animal Inspector the increase that was approved 2 years ago. Mr. Murphy has been paid $500.00 a year and the salary is $1,200.00. Mr. Carroll explained that Mr. Murphy doesn’t do the job for the money, but Mr. Carroll will be sure he receives his full pay for this year.
At 8:48 PM Mr. Malkin moved to adjourn. Ms. Coutinho seconded the motion.
SO VOTED FinCom: 7 Ayes, BOS: 3 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase Approved 2/1/16
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